Detente

1972: Helsinki Conference agreed on greater co-operation between superpowers in terms of trade and fighting international terrorism.

1975: Apollo-Soyuz mission. An American Apollo and Russian Soyuz spacecraft docked in space.

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Invasion of Afghanistan

April 1972: Afghan royal family overthrown and new communist president Taraki became ally of USSR.

Brezhnev saw communist revolution in Afghanistan as oppertunity to extend power in oil-rich Middle East.

Taraki attempted to assassinate Amin (head of army) but failed. Started civil war.

December 1979: Soviet invasion started because Amin had assassinated Taraki and was thought to be an American spy, the communists needed help to defeat Amin and Brezhnev though USA wouldn't intervene after Prague Spring.

Carter formed an alliance with China and Israel to support Afghan rebels. CIA provided weapons and funds.